David Pytches (1931-2023): Bishop, charismatic pioneer and father in the faith

Rt Rev David Pytches, founder of New Wine and former vicar of St Andrews, Chorleywood, has died aged 92. Greg Downes pays tribute to a pioneer of charismatic renewal within the Anglican church

The UK Church has lost a General in the faith or, as I referred to him in a Facebook post earlier this year, a national treasure. Since his death on Tuesday, social media has been filling up with tributes to a man who was perhaps the most significant figure in British Charismatic Christianity in the last half century.

Much has already been said about the kindness, humility and impish sense of humour of this remarkable man who was a fearless pioneer and divine disrupter. I wish to offer a personal perspective based on five experiences I had with him over the past two decades.